Premier League side Aston Villa could still send a first team to Oxford next Tuesday, despite making good progress in the Peace Cup in Andalucia, Spain, according to Oxford United chairman Kelvin Thomas.

Villa reached the semi-finals by beating Atlante, of Mexico, 3-1 on Wednesday night, having earlier lost 1-0 to Malaga.

They now play Porto in the second semi-final in Malaga on Friday night. The first semi is a mouthwatering one: Juventus v Real Madrid.

If Villa qualify for the final, that is on Sunday, less than 48 hours before Martin O’Neill brings his side to the Kassam Stadium for Tuesday’s game.

Thomas said: “We just don’t know at this stage, but I’d heard a rumour that if they did reach the final then travelled back on the Monday, they might even stop over locally before playing us.”